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Local/Regional » News Item Friday, May 30, 2003

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Law guards historic structures
New ordinance would delay demolition 30 days
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By JOSEPH GERTH
jgerth@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
People wanting to demolish historic structures will have to wait 30 days to give preservationists time to act under an ordinance approved yesterday by the Louisville Metro Council.

Tina Ward-Pugh, D-9th District, proposed the measure after a historic home on Lexington Road was razed last month without any notice to adjoining property owners or preservation groups.

The ordinance, approved 24-0 , wouldn't prohibit demolishing the historic structures but would allow preservationists to work with property owners to save the old buildings.

"My only regret is that this wasn't the first thing I did when I got into office," Ward-Pugh said. "Because if I did, we wouldn't have lost the Liebert House. It was not just an old house, it was significant to the community."

The house, which was the old Liebert Bros. dairy farm, wasn't listed on the National Register of Historic Places but was built around 1899.

The ordinance was approved unanimously after Ward-Pugh and Hal Heiner, R-19th, brokered a compromise.

Under the ordinance, anyone wishing to demolish a building would have to apply to the Department of Inspections, Permits and Licenses. That part of the law wouldn't change.

If the building is a house or commercial structure more than 65 years old, or is an accessory building larger than 600 square feet or more than 100 years old, the permit could be delayed up to 14 days while an employee of the city's historic preservation office determines if the building is a historical structure.


If it isn't considered historical, a demolition permit would be granted and the building could be razed immediately.


If the building is historical, the property owner would have to wait 30 days to tear it down and give notice to adjoining property owners, the city's Department of Neighborhoods and the Metro Council member who represents the affected area.


The Department of Neighborhoods would be required to give notice to nearby neighborhood groups and business associations.


There was no vote yesterday on an ordinance that would increase alcohol beverage license fees in the parts of Louisville that were not within the city limits before merger.


A committee approved the measure Wednesday, but the council chose not to address the matter, giving council members until the June 12 meeting to consider an amendment.



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